19-nor-delta**4,9,11-gonatriene-3-ones



United States Patent 3,484,462 19-NOR-A -GONATRlENE-S-ONES Daniel Bertin, Montrouge, and Andre Pierdet, Noisy-le- Sec, France, assignors to Roussel UCLAF, Paris, France, a corporation of France No Drawing. Filed Feb. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 615,088 Claims priority, application France, Feb. 18, 1966, 50,197; Oct. 20, 1966, 80,898 Int. Cl. C07c 169/34 US. Cl. 260-397.3 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a process for the production of A -gonatriene-3-ones of the formula o O u.

wherein R is a lower alkyl radical of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R is selected from the group consisting of oxygen and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid of 1 to 18 carbon atoms and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a lower saturated or unsaturated substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic radical, which comprises subjecting a corresponding A -gonadiene-11,8-ol-3-one, to the action of an aqueous aliphatic carboxylic acid of 1 to 4 carbon atoms at elevated temperatures.

CLAIM FOR P-RIORITY This application is based on the corresponding French patent applications 50,197, filed Feb. 18, 1966 and 80,898,

filed Oct. 20, 1966, the right of priority of which under the provisions of U.S.C. 119 is hereby claimed.

THE PRIOR ART The preparation of A -gonatriene-3-ones by subjecting the corresponding A -gonadiene-11/3-ol-3-ones to the action of a strong acid such as concentrated sulfuric acid is described in copending commonly assigned US. Patent application Ser. No. 458,416, filed May 24, 1965, now US. Patent No. 3,424,745.

The compounds of Formula I are known to possess interesting physiological properties. [See, for example, Feyel-Cabanes, Annales dEndocrinologie, Paris,'vol. 26, pp. 95-101 (1965), Nomine et al., C. R. Acad. Sci., vol. 260, pp. 4,5454,S48 1965), and Anner et al., Second International Congress on Hormonal Steroids, Milan, Italy (1965)].

3,484,462 Patented Dec. 16, 1969 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The novel process of the invention for the preparation of A -gonatriene-3-ones of Formula I comprises subjecting a A -gonadiene-11fl-ol-3-one of the formula wherein R, R and R have the above definition to the action of an aqueous aliphatic carboxylic acid of 1 to 4 carbon atoms at elevated temperatures, preferably about C., to form the corresponding A -gonatriene-3- one of Formula I and recovering the latter. By the use of an organic carboxylic acid rather than a strong acid such as concentrated sulfuric acid, the process of the invention converts A -gonadiene-11 3-ol-3-ones into the corresponding A -trienic compounds without degradation or rearrangement even if the dienic compounds contain groups which are labile in the presence of strong acids in anhydrous media such as 17,8-hydroxy and 17aethynyl groups.

While the reaction is preferably carried out at temperatures of about 100 C., the elevated temperature may be between 90 to C. Examples oisuitable aliphatic carboxylic acids are formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, etc. The said acids contain up to 50% of water, preferably 20 to 40%.

A variation of the process of the invention effects the dehydration of the A -gonadiene-11fl-ol-3-ones of Formula II in two steps by first esterifying a A -gonadiene- 11fi-o1-3-one of Formula II at temperatures between 10 and 30 C. with an aliphatic car'boxylic acid of 1 to 4 carbon atoms to form a compound of the formula XO Q R.

The A -gonadiene-11/8-ol-3-ones of Formula II used as starting materials can be prepared by the methods described in U.S. Patents No. 3,282,785 and No. 3,301,756, and in copending, commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 587,001, filed Oct. 17, 1966.

In Formula I, R is preferably selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl. R when other than hydrogen is preferably selected from the group consisting of ethynyl, chloroethynyl, l-propynyl, 2-propynyl, vinyl, allyl, methyl and ethyl.

Examples of suitable organic acids of 1 to 18 carbon atoms may be derived from an aliphatic, aromatic, cycloaliphatic or heterocyclic carboxylic acid. Examples of suitable acids are alkanoic acids, alkenoic acids, cycloalkyl carboxylic acids, cycloalkyl alkanoic acids, arylalkanoic acids, aryl carboxylic acids, phenoxy alkanoic acids, heterocyclic carboxylic acids, fi-ketoalkanoic acids.

In the following examples, there are described several preferred embodiments to illustrate the invention. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments.

EXAMPLE I Preparation of A -estratriene-3,17-dione 0.500 gm. of A -estradiene-11fl-ol-3,17-dione were introduced into cc. of 60% aqueous formic acid (40% EXAMPLE II Preparation of 17a-ethynyl-A -estratriene- 17fl-ol-3-one 0.500 gm. of 17a-ethynyl-A -estradiene-11/8,17,Bdiol- 3-one were introduced into 5 cc. of 60% aqueous formic acid and the mixture was agitated for 12 minutes at a temperature of 100 C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen. After being cooled, the reaction mixture was poured into an ice-water mixture, neutralized and then the aqueous phase was extracted with chloroform. The chloroform r solution was washed with water, dried and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The reisdue was subjected to chromatography over silica gel with elution with benzene containing of ethyl acetate to obtain 17ot-ethynyl-A -estratriene-17,B-ol-3-one having a melting point of 172 [a] =+63 (c.=0.5% in ethanol).

EXAMPLE III Preparation of A -estratriene-3,17-dione 0.100 gm. of A -estradiene-11fl-ol-3,17-dione were introduced into 1 cc. of 60% acetic acid, and the reaction mixture was maintained for 1 hour at about 105 C. under agitation and under an atmosphere of nitrogen. Then after cooling, the reaction mixture was poured into an ice-Water mixture, neutralized with the addition of sodium bicarbonate and extracted with methylene chloride. The combined extracts were washed with water until the wash waters were neutral and the organic solution was dried and distilled to dryness under vacuum. The residue was subjected to chromatography over silica Y gel with elution with benzene containing 30% of ethyl acetate to obtain A -estratriene-3,17-dione, having a melting point of 140 C. identical to the product obtained in Example I.

C. and a specific rotation of 4 EXAMPLE 1v Preparation of 7a-methyl17a-ethynyl-A estratriene-17fl-ol-3-one Using the process of Example I, 60% aqueous formic acid was reacted at a temperature of C. with agitation under an atmosphere of nitrogen with 7a-methyl- 17a-ethynyl-A -estradiene-11,13,17fi-diol-3-one, having a melting point of 195 C. (described in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 587,001 filed Oct. 17, 1966). After purification, 7a-rnethyl-17u-ethynyl-A -estratriene-175- ol-3-one having a melting point of 215 C. and a specific rotation of [a] =38 (c.=0.5% in methanol) was obtained. The product was identical to the product described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 576,240 filed Aug. 31, 1966.

XAMPLE V Preparation of 17a-ethynyl-A -estratriene- 17 fl-ol-3 -one Step A: Preparation of 1lfl-acetoxy-17a-ethynyl-A estradiene-l7,8-ol-3-one.1 gm. of 17a-ethynyl-A estradiene-l1fl,17fi-diol-3-one was dissolved in 50 cc. of methylene chloride containing 1% of acetic acid. 0.2 cc. of an aqueous solution of concentrated perchloric acid was added thereto and the mixture was agitated for 2 minutes at a temperature of 20-25 C. Then the reaction mixture was poured into ice water and the organic phase was separated, washed with water until neutrality dried and evaporated to dryness under vacuum to obtain 1.2 gm. of product, which was then purified by chromatography over silica and recrystallization from ethanol to obtain 140 mg. of 1lfl-acetoxy-17a-ethynyl-A -estradiene-17fl-ol-3-one having a melting point of 215 C, and a specific rotation of [a] =56i2 (0.4% in methanol).

Analysis.C H O molecular weight=354.43; calculated: C, 74.55%; H, 7.39%. Found: C, 74.3; H, 7.4.

Infra-red spectra (chloroform):

Presence of OH Presence of --CE CH Presence of acetate Ultra-violet spectra (ethanol):

max. at 292 m EiZm.=570

R.M.N, spectra:

Methyl in the 18-position: 62.5 Hz. Acetoxyl: 114 Hz. Ethynyl: 146.5 Hz. H triplet: towards 348.5 Hz.

This product is not described in the literature.

Step B: Preparation of 17u-ethynyl-A -estratriene- 17,8-ol-3-one.0.078 gm. of llfi-acetoxy-lh-ethynyl- A -estradiene-17fi-ol-3-one were introduced into 1 cc. of 60% aqueous formic acid. The reaction mixture was heated to C., and kept at this temperature for 22 minutes under agitation and an atmosphere of nitrogen. Then the reaction mixture was poured into an ice-water mixture and the precipitate formed was vacuum filtered off. The filtrate was washed with water until neutrality dried and purified by chromatography over silica gel with elution with benzene containing 30% of ethyl acetate to obtain 17ovethynyl-A -cstratricne-17fi-ol-3-One having a melting point of 172 C. The product was identical to the product obtained in Example 11.

EXAMPLE VI Preparation of 17u-ethyny1-A -estratriene- 17/3-ol-3-one Step A: 1lfJ-formyloxy-17a-ethynyl-A -estradiene-17flol-3-one.-1 gm. of 17a-ethynyl-d -estradiene-115,17fldio1-3-one was dissolved in 15 cc. of a formic acid solution containing 20% of water and the reaction mixture was agitated for minutes at room temperature. Then the solution was poured into an ice-water mixture and extracted with ether. The organic phase was separated and washed first with water, then with a sodium bicarbonate solution and again with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under vacuum to obtain 1.10 gm. of raw product, which were purified by recrystallization from refluxing alcohol to obtain 573 mg. of 1lfl-formyloxy-17a-ethynyl-M -estradiene-175-01- 3-one having a melting point of 164 C. and a specific rotation of [a] =106:3 (c.=0.5% in methanol).

Analysis.-C H O molecular weight=340.43; calculated: C, 74.09%; H, 7.11%. Found: C, 74.3; H, 7.2.

Infra-red spectra:

Presence of OH. Presence of CECH. Presence of formate. Ultra-violet spectra (ethanol):

xmax. at 240 m Amax. at 291 m The R.M.N. spectra, (effected in CDCI confirmed the structure of the product obtained and in particular, the orientation of the formyloxy in the llfi-position. The following values were obtained for the different substituents.

Methyl in the 18-position: 64 Hz. Ethyl: 147 H2.

H ethylenic: 329 Hz.

H of formyl: 455 Hz.

This product is not described in the literature.

Step B: Preparation of 17a-ethynyl-A -estratriene- 17B-ol-3-one.Using the process of Step B of Example V, 1lfl-formyloxy-lh-ethynyl A estradiene-17 3016- one was converted to 17u-ethynyl-A -estratriene-1713- ol-3-one having a melting point of 172 C., identical to the product obtained in Example II.

EXAMPLE VII Preparation of 17a-ethynyl-A -estratriene- 17 fi-ol-3-one 0.500 gm. of 17ot-ethynyl-A -estradiene-11,8-17B-di0l-3- one were introduced into 5 cc. of 60% aqueous formic acid and the solution was agitated for 30 minutes at about 20 C. Then the reaction mixture was poured into ice water and the precipitate formed was vacuum filtered, Washed and dried. The raw 1lfi-formyloxy-17a-ethynyl- A -estradiene-l7fl-ol-3-one thus obtained was introduced into 5 cc. of 60% aqueous formic acid previously heated to 100 C. and this temperature was maintained for 2 minutes. Then the reaction mixture was cooled and poured into ice water and the precipitate formed was vacuum filtered off. The solution was Washed with water, dried and purified by chromatography over silica gel with elution with benzene contaiinng 30% of ethyl acetate to obtain 17a-ethyny1-A -estratriene-l7B-ol-3-one hav ing a melting point of 172 C. identical to the product obtained in Example II.

EXAMPLE VIII Preparation of 17a-methyl-A -estratriene l7 8-ol-3-one Step A: Preparation of 11 3-formyloxy-17a-methyl- A -estradiene-17/8-ol3-0ne.-1 gm. of 17a-methyl-A estradiene-1 1,8,17fl-dio1-3-one, having a melting point of 196 C., was dissolved in 10 cc. of formic acid containing 20% of water and the solution was agitated for 10 minutes at room temperature. The precipitate formed after addition of the solution to an ice-water mixture was filtered oif and the filtrate was extracted with ether. The combined ethereal phases were washed with water until neutrality, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure, to obtain 1.050 gm. of 1 lfl formyloxy-17a-methyl-A -estradiene-1713-ol-3-one. Ultra-violet spectra (in ethanol) Inflection toward 234 mp.

A max. at 292 m Infra-red spectra (in chloroform) Max, at 1716 cm. and 1166 cm. (formate). Max. at 1663 cm. (conjugated ketone).

This product is not described in the literature.

Step B: Preparation of 17a-methyl-A -estratriene- 17 9-ol-3-one.Using the process of Step B of Example V, 11 3 formyloxy-17a-methyl-A -estradiene-l7fl-ol-3-one was converted to 17a-methyl-A -estratriene-175-01-3- one having a melting point of 170 C. and a specific rotation of [a] =59 (in ethanol).

EXAMPLE IX Preparation of 13,8-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A g0natriene- 17 8-o1-3-one Using the process of Example I, 13/3-ethyl-17m-ethynyl- A -g0nadiene-110,17fi-diol-3-one having a melting point of 200 C. (described in US. patent application Ser. No. 587,001, filed Oct. 17, 1966), was converted to 13p-ethyl- 17u-ethynyl-A -gonatriene17,8-01-3-one having a melting point of 154 C. and a specific rotation of ]D (in ethanol).

EXAMPLE X Preparation of 7a,l7a-dimethyl-A -estratriene-17B- ol-3 -one Step A: Preparation of 7a,17ot-dimethyl-1lfl-hydroperoxy-A -estradiene-17fi-ol-3-one.1 gm. of 701,17a-dimethyl-A -estradiene-17fi-ol-3-one described in US. patent application Ser. No. 576,240, filed Aug. 31, 1966), was introdudced into 28 cc. of ethanol containing 1% of triethylamine. A stream of oxygen was bubbled through this mixture for 24 hours at room temperature and thereafter, the reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness to obtain 1.4 gm. of 7a,17a-dimethyl-1lfl-hydroperoxy-A' -estradiene-17,3ol-3-one, which was utilized as such for the next step.

This product is not described in the. literature.

Step B: Preparation of 7a,17a-dimethyl-A -estradiene- 11/3,17;8-diol-3-one.1.4 gm. of 704,17m-din16thYl-1lfi-hY- droperoxy A estradiene 17,8 o1 3-one, obtained in Step A, were introduced into 5 cc. of ethanol and after 0.5 cc. of triethyl phosphite were added thereto, the mixture was agitated for 1 hour at reflux. Then the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, 1.1 cc. of 30% hydrogen peroxide and 1.1 cc. of water were added thereto and the mixture was agitated for 1 hour after which 35 cc. of Water were added. The reaction mixture was extracted with methylene chloride and the organic phase was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The residue was triturated in hot isopropyl ether, then iced and filtered. The precipitate was vacuum filtered, washed with water and dried to obtain 0.59 gm. of 7a,17a-dimethyl- A -estradiene-1 15,17fl-diol-3-one.

This product is not described in the literature.

Step C: Preparation of 7a,17a-dimethyI-A -estratriene-17fl-ol-3-one.--Using the process of Example I, 60% aqueous formic acid was reacted at a temperature of C., and with agitation under an atmosphere of nitrogen with 7a,17a-dimethyl-A -estradiene-115,175- diol-3-one, and after purification, 7a,l7a-dimethyl-A estratriene-l7 8-ol-3-one having a melting point of 173 C. and a specific rotation of [a] =l25 (c.=0.57% in methanol) was obtained. The product was identical to the product described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 576,240, filed Aug. 31, 1966.

EXAMPLE XI Preparation of 17a-allyl-A -estratriene-17f3-ol-3-one Using the process of Example I, 17OL-ZIIYI-A -CStIadlCIIS- 11,8,1713-diol-3-0ne was converted to 17ot-allyl-A -es tratriene-17fl-ol-3-one having a melting point of 120 C. and a specific rotation of [a] =72 (in ethanol).

EXAMPLE XII Preparation of l7oc-( 1-propynyl)-A -estratriene- 17/3-ol-3-one We claim: 1. A process for the preparation of a A -gonatriene- 3-one of the formula wherein R is a lower alkyl radical of l to 4 carbon atoms, R is selected from the group consisting of oxygen and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid of 1 to 18 carbon atoms and R" is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl and halo lower alkynyl which comprises subjecting a A -gonadiene-1l/3-ol-3-one of the formula o .go.

wherein R, R and 'R have the above definitions to the action of an aqueous aliphatic carboxylic acid of l to 4 carbon atoms containing up to of water at temperatures between and 110 C. to form the corresponding A gonatriene-3-one and recovering the latter.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the carboxylic acid is formic acid.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the carboxylic acid is acetic acid.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the elevated temperature is about C.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the n -gonadiene- 1l 8-ol-3-one is first esterified with an aliphatic carboxylic acid of 1 to 4 carbon atoms to obtain the corresponding 11/3-acyloxy compound which is then reacted with an aqueous aliphatic carboxylic acid of 1 to 4 carbon atoms at temperatures between 90 C. and C.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein the esterification is effected at temperatures of 10 to 30 C.

7. The process of claim 5, wherein the esterification is effected with aqueous formic acid.

8. The process of claim 5, wherein the aqueous aliphatic carboxylic acid is aqueous formic acid and the elevated temperature is about 100 C.

9. 11,8 acetoxy 17m ethynyl 43 estradiene 17fi-ol- 3 one.

10. 11B formoyloxy 17oz ethynyl A estradiene -01- 3 -one.

11. 11 8 formoyloxy 1704 methyl A estradiene 17;?- ol 3 one.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1965 Reimann et al 260488 12/1967 Beard et al. 260239.55

LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner ETHEL G. LOVE, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 260-397.45

@3 5 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,48 4, +62 Dated December 16, 1969 ln ent fl DANIEL BERTIN et 211.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that: said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' Col. 1, line 71, 1965 should be 1966 .1

Col. 2, drawing 2, R should be R Col. l, line L 1, insert before "max? C01. 5, line 21, 593 should be 1 Col. 8, line 5, structural formula should read SlGNED AND S EALED L 2 1970 aSEAL) Attest: Edwlrd M. Fletcher, Ir.

Attesting Offiocr 

